CBP Sign

Employee Safety Stressed by CBP New Orleans

The agency has taken a vigorous approach to protect border patrol and customs officers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Customs and Border Protection field office in New Orleans has taken a multilayered approach to ensure that employees are safe from COVID-19 virus as they fulfill the agency’s critical national security mission.

“CBP goes to great lengths to ensure our frontline officers are trained and equipped with proper personal protection gear so they can complete their border security mission in a safe working environment,” said Steven Stavinoha, CBP New Orleans’ Director of Field Operations.

Security and safety guidance issued by CDC and the White House ensure that CBP staff continue to practice social distancing. The government agency has reduced staff where possible to ensure minimum virus exposure. Uniformed officers and Border Patrol agency who reports for duty are issued Personal Protective Equipment, including nitrile gloves, N95 respirators and hand sanitizer. Agents also have been instructed with guidance on use of the safety equipment. Alternative work schedules also have been implemented so a large number of employees do not work together.

“Because of the unprecedented efforts taken by CBP to ensure a healthy workforce, legitimate international travel and trade have continued across the five-state area as we continue to support our economic prosperity,” Stavinoha said.

All CBP employees have access to an online resource portal for up-to-date health and safety information, in addition to public updates on the CBP homepage. A resource portal contains risk exposure guidance, job-specific PPE guidelines, workforce support resources, CDC prevention guidance, and video and written updates from CBP leadership.

The CBP New Orleans Office of Field Operations and USBP New Orleans Sector are located in the historic Custom House on Canal Street in New Orleans. The New Orleans Air and Marine Operations Branch, located in Hammond, LA, continues its maritime border, with offices located in Houma, LA, and Gulfport, MS. All offices remain in operation and still work jointly with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners.

About the Author

Ralph C. Jensen is the Publisher/Editor in chief of Security Today magazine.

Featured

  • The Future is Happening Outside the Cloud

    For years, the cloud has captivated the physical security industry. And for good reason. Remote access, elastic scalability and simplified maintenance reshaped how we think about deploying and managing systems. But as the number of cameras grows and resolutions push from HD to 4K and beyond, the cloud’s limits are becoming unavoidable. Bandwidth bottlenecks. Latency lags. Rising storage costs. These are not abstract concerns. Read Now

  • The Impact of Convergence Between IT and Physical Security

    For years, the worlds of physical security and information technology (IT) remained separate. While they shared common goals and interests, they often worked in silos. Read Now

  • Unlocking Trustworthy AI: Building Transparency in Security Governance

    In situations where AI supports important security tasks like leading investigations and detecting threats and anomalies, transparency is essential. When an incident occurs, investigators must trace the logic behind each automated response to confirm its validity or spot errors. Demanding interpretable AI turns opaque “black boxes” into accountable partners that enhance, rather than compromise, organizational defense. Read Now

  • Seeking Innovative Solutions

    Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. You may recognize these terms as the “5 Phases” of a grieving process, but they could easily describe the phases one goes through before adopting any new or emerging innovation or technology, especially in a highly risk-averse industry like security. However, the desire for convenience in all aspects of modern life is finally beginning to turn the tide from old school hardware as the go-to towards more user-friendly, yet still secure, door solutions. Read Now

  • Where AI Meets Human Judgment

    Artificial intelligence is everywhere these days. It is driving business growth, shaping consumer experiences, and showing up in places most of us never imagined just a few years ago. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.